Does God love everyone?

[Gentlemantech48]

It's such a "feel good" saying to say that God loves everyone. If He does, let's consider what that means. Did He love the Pharisee's whom he called a brood of vipers? Did he love those He destroyed in the flood? Did He love those that he ordered the Israelites to kill as they entered the new land?

In James 4:4 it says "You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God".

So what are your thoughts on this?

 

[General Mung Beans]

Its stated in Romans 9:13 (NIV)

Just as it is written: Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated

So it seems to indicate God does hate certain people.

 

[edie19]

I'm currently reading Joshua - given what God did to the inhabitants of the promised land at the hands of the Israelites I would definitely say no, He doesn't love everyone

 

[Glass*Soul]

Does Jesus love me?

 

[Gentlemantech48]

I do know that is God is sorrowful when He is forced to kill a group of people OR if he sends someone to hell OR they commit the unforgiveable sin and He turns them over to satan even before they die. The Word teaches that it is His will that Everyone would be saved even though He knows that most will refuse The Lord Jesus. I don't have the full answer for whether or not God loves everyone. Maybe He loves everyone at least at the beginning of their life until they turn their back on Him and become His enemy. It was because of God's love for mankind that he gave us a free will. We can take that free will and love God or we can take that free will and break His heart by refusing to love Him.

 

[higgs2]

For God so loved the world...

 

[jacks]

Does Jesus love me?

Yes, more than you can imagine.

 

[higgs2]

I hate it when people say things that make them or others feel good. Those wretched "feel good" sayings.

 

[desmalia]

Its stated in Romans 9:13 (NIV)


So it seems to indicate God does hate certain people.

I'm currently reading Joshua - given what God did to the inhabitants of the promised land at the hands of the Israelites I would definitely say no, He doesn't love everyone

Yep, it's pretty tough to get past those kinds of things mentioned in the Bible, isn't it? I know some pastors just prefer to avoid them because it means dealing with the hard truth. But there it is.

 

[JesusFreak78]

Its stated in Romans 9:13 (NIV)


So it seems to indicate God does hate certain people.

I agree.

 

[JesusFreak78]

For God so loved the world...

Who is the world?

 

[r035198x]

All the examples of God's 'hatred' for certain people are before Christ's death. It is easy to undersetimate the effects and implications of the cross.

Romnas 5

8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

The death of Christ extended God's love to sinners.

 

[JesusFreak78]

All the examples of God's 'hatred' for certain people are before Christ's death. It is easy to undersetimate the effects and implications of the cross.

Romnas 5

The death of Christ extended God's love to sinners.

If you're not aware of it, Paul (who wrote Romans) came to Christ after Christ died on the cross and was resurrected. Either way it wouldn't change the statement if it was said before Christ died on the cross because God is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8).

 

[r035198x]

If you're not aware of it, Paul (who wrote Romans) came to Christ after Christ died on the cross and was resurrected...

Sorry I don't follow the argument here. I also came to Christ after He had died.

... Either way it wouldn't change the statement if it was said before Christ died on the cross because God is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8).

God has not changed at all. He just gave people a new commandment and established a new covenant. The cross does not change God, it changes (removes) the requirements for you to earn His love.

 

[A New Dawn]

I think that God has a love for his creation (he did look at everything and called it good), but I believe he has a special love for His elect since the elect actually become sons of God.

 

[r035198x]

I think that God has a love for his creation (he did look at everything and called it good), but I believe he has a special love for His elect since the elect actually become sons of God.

He loves the sinners so much that He gave them His Son though (Himself even) so I don't think it's fair or useful to try and compare the love.

 

[A New Dawn]

He loves the sinners so much that He gave them His Son though (Himself even) so I don't think it's fair or useful to try and compare the love.

Yes, at one time, everyone was a sinner, but the elect, those who become His sons (and daughters (Christ's bride)) he holds a different affection for. Do you not hold a different affection for your spouse than you do for your neighbor?

If you think there is no difference in the types of love God exhibits, that is fine for you, many of us think differently, though.

 

[r035198x]

...If you think there is no difference in the types of love God exhibits, that is fine for you, many of us think differently, though.

I did not say that I think that there is no difference.
I said I don't think it's fair or useful to compare the love and I have provided the scripure that shows why that is the case.

 

[DD2008]

I think that God has a love for his creation (he did look at everything and called it good), but I believe he has a special love for His elect since the elect actually become sons of God.

I agree.

 

[DD2008]

Does Jesus love me?

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